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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1125, 17 August 1882, Page 2

It is notified in another column that copies of the Impounding Act can bo obtained at the Standard Office at the very moderate price of 5 shillings. A perusal of the balance sheet of the Gisborne Building Society, which appeared in our last evening’s issue, will show the progress this well managed Association has achieved. Since these institutions were inaugurated in New Zealand we doubt if greater success has been secured, and can only express a hope that as in the past it will be in the future. Mr. F. J. Please, the energetic secretary, assuredly deserves the praise he has so well earned. Those who desire to become members of this very useful society should apply without loss of tune to the Secretary, Mr Piesse, that they may secure the benefit of the full year’s interest on their investments. We should be glad to see a large increase in the number of members, as such a society under such management affords undoubted security to investors, and is of great benefit to the district. This being a permanent society shares may be taken up at any time.

A novel speculation has boeu gone into by two Geelong men. They propose shipping several loads of servants to Melbourne, under fixed engagements. It is stated that the females in Germany exceed ths males by 1,000,000, that the servants uro of an excellant clues, and that the average wages do not exceed £7 per annum with board, If Mark Twain is not the correspondent for “ Reuter ’’ he is “ following dead in his lines." It will be seen by our oablegraphio columns of yesterday evening, that a quantity of powder exploded under a school and it is naively added “ the school was full at the time.” This is about the coolest wind-up wa have seen for sometime' How many children were there present, and how many of the little ones were enabled, after this explosion to ran home to their mothers and fathers, or how many were scattered piecemeal right up in the air is not stated. We propound the following as a question which might be put at the coming Gisborne School examination Given a ton of gunpowder, 3000 children in a stone building, a head master, or principal, sundry other bosses, and a small boy with a match. What is tlie result!

Speaking of tho Irish murders in Dublin the “World” says, “ The result of civilisation have been pitted against the resources of the secret societies and thus far, tho former have been ignominiously defeated." This is not a pleasant confession, but there seems unfortunately little reason to disbelieve it. It is estimated that 550,000 tons of fish are annually taken in British waters. Professor Huxley estimates the Annual North >Sea Herring take, at 3,000,000,000. The historic Farm of Papilotte on the field of Waterloo has been recently destroyed by tire.

It is to be regretted that the wet weather of late should hava prevented our footballers from obtaining that amount of practice which is requisite for them in anticipation of the approaching contest with the Napier boys.

Henry Grey was charged at the Police Court this morning with furiously riding on the footpath on the sth instant. He pleaded not guilty, but the evidence of Constable Farmer was conclusive, and the breaker of the Borough bye-laws was fined 40s and costs. The money was immediately paid.

Good news for housekeepers. Messrs. Kennedy and Bennett have completed arrangements for the constant supply of shipments of Newcastle and Bay of Island coal as well as for local firewood. Competition is the soul of trade, and there being now three Richmonds in the field we hope the best man wins.

The Fire Brigade had a practice last night with the hand engine, which was permitted to pump from the well at the rear of the Bi-itish Empire Hotel. There was a good muster, and the practice was most satisfactory.

Messrs. Croll and Ingle, in addition to a large and varied assortment of ironware and almost every recent Yankee novelty, have recently imported a quantity of fruit, flower, and vegetable seeds from the English and American markets. The seeds have arrived in excellent condition, and we feel positive those who purchase will not regret the transaction.

We hear that another measure is to be brought before the House for the better administration of the laws relating to the subdivision of Native lands. What the precise nature of this new measure is, no one at present knows, but we do know that it is creating considerable discussion, and no little excitement, in Ministerial circles. On dit that Mr Bryce insists upon bringing this at present unknown measure forward, while Mr Whitaker is equally desirous of keeping it back. A few days will probably enlighten us on this matter.

There are two dogs in the vicinity of the Standard newspaper office who eon safely be backed to create more discord than the celebrated Makaraka Tin Can Brigade. Every time the British Empire announces that the time has come for boarders to take refreshment these two beautiful (or otherwise) specimens of the canine race squat down and howl, much to the delight and enjoyment of the unfortunate scribbler on the opposite side of the road. Would the genial and obliging Ruler of the Empire kindly gag these dogs at half-past 7, at J, and at halfpast 0 o'clock each day I

The opening of the new Argyll Hotel took place to-day, and Host Dickson certainly deserves credit for the manner in which he entertained his visitors. Beer flowed “ad libitum," as may well be imagined, and a choice luncheon was supplied to all who were present, Everyone expressed a hope that the gonial landlord would in the future, as well as in the past, to quote Rip Van Winkle, “ Do well and prosper."

We were glad to see this afternoon that Mr Wilkinson, th* foreman of works for the Borough Council, was busily engaged in making channels to run off the water which had lodged in Palmerston Road near the mill, This work was much needed,

The sample of oil from the vein cut in the shaft of the Southern Cross Petroleum Co, at the depth of 109 feet, mentioned by Mr G. P. Hilton in his report at Monday's meeting, has since then arrived at the Company's office. It has qualities entirely distinct from any petroleum hitherto found in this district, it >s almost free from odor, is much lighter in color, burns easily by being warmed, with little smoke, and we have the authority of experts to say that it has a very superior value for its “ light" oils apart from its value for kerosene. The price of mineral turpentine is said to be five shillings per gallon, and it is likely that Mr Skey will be asked to report upon this product. The sinking is continuing oeyond thia vein, and we learn that the Company is now carrying on the work entirely on its own account, having terminated the late contract. This ought to benefit the Company in the manner of gaining thorough information of the strata, so necessary where everything is new, and to some extent contrary to former experiences.